Swimming face mask with periscope



B. B. GIRDEN 2,909,959

SWIMMING FACE MASK WITH PERISCOPE Oct. 27, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 1 FiledNov. 26, 1958 TTTF' Z INVENTOR BARNEY 3. Guava/V A RNEY Oct. 27, 1959 B.B. GIRDEN I SWIMMING FACE MASK WITH PERISCOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 26, 1958 INVENTOR.

BA (M6) 5 6 440 2,909,959 Patented Oct. 27, 1959 2,909,959 SWIMMING-FACE MASK WITH PER-ISCOPE Barney e. Girden, New York, N.Y. I ApplicationNovember 26, 1958, Serial No; 776,644

11 Claims. (61588-4) The present invention relates generally to improve'ments in optical devices, and more particularly is directed" to animproved periscope device for use by swimmers.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending applicationfor United 'States Letters Patent identified as Serial No. 597,013,filed July 10, 1956 now abandoned, for Swimming Face Mask WithPeriscope,

ln recent years, personal underwater activities,.both of a subsurfacenature and of a surface nature .with underwater vision, and without theuse of diving suits and helmets fed with air from "a remote source, havebecome very popular. These activities include submarine explorationandnature study, underwater sports, such as, spear fishing, and operationsof a more immediate. economic nature such as, salvage activities and thelike. In order to provide comfortable and adequate underwater vision,the swimmer or diver is provided with a face mask which may be in theform merely of goggles, or

may cover, in addition to the eyes, the nose, or the nose and mouth ofthe wearer. The face mask is provided with a transparent viewingportion, which may be in the form of a pair of lenses or a singlewindow, and with a flexible flange or the like effecting a water-tightseal between the face mask and the face of the wearer so that water isexcluded from the space between the wearers eyes and the transparentportion or faceplate of the mask. Further, the face mask may be providedwith breathing tubes or Snorkels, or with a conventional underwatercompressed air system. Y

resilient flanges extending rearwardly therefrom and being eitherintegral, or-in water-tight engagement with the frame, and dimensionedto make a water-tight seal with the face of awearer, and a transparentface plate secured in the frame and extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the normal line of vision of the wearer, while the'periscope'includes an elongated tube secured to the face mask, eitherby being formed integral with the frame of the face mask or by extendingin watertight relationship through an opening in the face mask, and,reflective elements fixedly mounted within the tube in opticalcommunication with one another and being Inemploying the above describedconventional underwater face masking, particularly, when swimming on thesurface, the body is in a horizontal or prone position and the face andface mask are immersed in the water with the wearers line of visionbeing directedsubstantially downwardly. As a result, the swimmercannot'maintain a desired course and is completely oblivious to the conditions above the surface of the water, and this situation may oftenprove dangerous. For example, in the presence of breakers or a violentsurf, the swimmer whose sight is directed downwardly may be caughtunawares therein and roughly handled with a great likelihood of bodilyinjury. The presence of floating objects, as well as other swimmers inthe vicinity, likewisepresent a personal hazard'to a swimmer whosevision is directed downwardly through the face mask.

Accordingly, it-is an object of the invention to provide a swimming facemask with a periscope which is arranged with respect to the face mask sothat-the directline of vision through the face plate or transparentportion of the face mask and the line of vision from the periscopeenclose an angle greater than forty-five degrees, and preferably closeto ninety degrees, thereby to permit the wearer to direct his viewdownwardly through the face angularly disposed. to produce a lineofjvision forward from the'upper end of the periscope tube more nearlyparallel than perpendicular to the plane of the face plate, The above,and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will beapparent in the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, forminga part hereof, and wherein: Fig.1 is aside elevational view of a swimming face mask with periscope embodyingthe invention, and which is shown in its normal position ofuse on aswimmer;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the swimming face mask withperiscope shown in Fig. 1, but with portions thereof being broken awayfor convenience of illustration; j.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3- -3 of Fig.2;

Fig- 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken along the line 44.of Fig. 2;

t Fig. 5 is, a side elevational view of a swimmingface mask with 1periscope constructed inaccordance with another preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

' Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the swimming face mask withperiscope shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is asectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6. v

Referringto the drawings in detail, and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, itwill be seen that, in the embodiment of the invention there illustrated,the face mask generally identified by there ference numeral 10 is ofconventional tegrally formed flange member 13. The frame portion platefor observing underwater activity and, without shifting his or her head,to conveniently view the scene above the surface of the water throughthe periscope.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the underwater f ace'maskincludes a frame portion having sealed in the groove.

12 and integral flange member 13are preferably made of a natural orsyntheticfrubber, or of any other suitable .elastomeric material, andthe flange member 13 preferably tapers in thickness toward its inner, orfree edge 14 'which conforms in shape to the corresponding contour ofthe face of the swimmer S.

A face plate 16 of a suitable transparent material, such as, an organicplastic, for example, methyl methacrylate, has its peripheral edgereceived in a corresponding groove 17 formed in the inner face of frameportion 12, with the edge of the face plate being hermetically In orderto support the mask on the face of the swimmer S and to ensure awater-tight seal between the surface of the face and the edge 14 offlange member 1'3, the face mask 10 further includes a band or strap 18which may have a conventional adjusting buckle (not shown), and whichhas its ends suitably secured to bosses 19 (Fig. 1) provided on theopposite sides of the frame portion 12.

It should be noted that, while the mask 16 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, is of the type extending from the forehead to a regionbetween the upper lip and nose plate or a single lens extending acrossthe full width of the mask, or the mask may cover the full face of thewearer in a manner well-known in this art. V

A lateral extending, generally rectangular aperture is formed in theupper portion of flange member 13 of frame 12 and is surrounded by anintegral upstanding collar or sleeve 21 which defines an entrance throatand is provided, along its upper peripheral edge, with a remforcingflange or rib 22. 1

The periscope which is generally identified by the reference numeral 20includes an elongated tube or housing 23 of generally rectangularcross-section and preferably formed of a relatively rigid plasticmaterial. The housing or tube 23 has a transparent portion 24 at theupper end of its front wall and a transparent portion 25 at the lowerend of its back wall, and thelower end portion of housing 23 extendsthrough the throat defined by the sleeve 21 and is in water-tightrelationship to the latter, with the lower end of the housing or tube 23being disposed directly behind the upper portion of face plate 16. Theupper and lower ends of the housing or tube 23 are sealed by inclinedend walls 26 and 27, respectively. It should be noted that, with theexception of the transparent portions 24 and 25, the material of thehousing or tube 23 is preferably opaque.

Upper and lower reflecting elements or mirrors 32 and 33 are suitablysecured against the inner surfaces of the end walls 26 and 27,respectively, and the inclination of the lower reflecting element 33 issuch that the angle between the longitudinal axis of tube 23 and thereflecting surface of the element 33 is equal to the angle between theupper line of sight of the swimmer S wearingthe face mask 10 and themedial portion of the surface of reflecting element 33. Furthermore, theinclination of the upper reflecting element or mirror 32 is suchthat-the angle between the longitudinal axis of the tube 23 and theplane'of the reflecting surface of element 32 is equal to the anglebetween that reflecting surface and the horizontal when the mask isdisposed in its normal position of use, as indicated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings.

Further, it will be noted that the longitudinal axis of the housing ortube 23 of periscope 20 and the plane of the face plate 16 enclose anangle which is very substantially greater than forty-five degrees sothat,' when the face mask 10 is in its normal position of-use with theface plate 16 directed downwardly, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing ortube 23 extends generally vertically upward from the mask 10 so as-todispose the transparent portion 24 above the surface of the water W. Itwill be also noted that the forwardly directed line of sight from thereflecting element 32 of periscope 20 is more nearly parallel thanperpendicular to the plane of the face plate 16, so that an angle ofalmost ninety degrees is enclosed between the direct line of visiondown:

wardly through face plate 16 and the forwardly directed line of visionfrom the reflecting element 32 of the periscope.

Although the reflecting elements 32 and 33 have been illustrated asmembers separate from the end walls 26 and 27 of the periscope, it is tobe understood that the reflecting elements may be formed by suitablycoating the end walls 26 and 27 so as to provide a reflecting surface onthe latter.

At least one breathing tube or snorkel device 34 is preferably providedon the face mask 10, and each tube 34 includes a pipe 36 preferablyextending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the periscopehousing 23 and having a U-shaped tubular member 37 extending from itsupward end and formed with a downwardly directed opening 38. A floattype valve 39 of conventional form is provided for closing the opening38 and includes an arm 40 hingedly connected to the member member 42being mounted on the upper face of float 41.

37 and carrying a float 41 at its upper end with a gasket 3 When theupper end of the snorkel is dispoSQtl. E J QW p p 4 v the surface of thewater W, the weight of the float 41 causes the arm 40 to hang downwardlyfrom its pivotal axis, as in Fig. 1, so that the gasket 42 of the valve39 is spaced from the opening 38 which is thereby exposed or uncoveredto permit the entry of air through member 37 and pipe 36 into the facemask 10. However, when the upper end of the snorkel or tube 34 isimmersed in the water, the float 41 urges the gasket 42 into watertightsealing relationship with the opening 38, thereby preventing the entryof water into the interior of the face mask. A boss or coupling member44 is formed on the outer surface of the flange member 13 and defines awell or bore receiving the lower end of the pipe 36 and communicatingwith an opening 43 formed in the inner surface of the flange member 13at the side of the latter. Although only one snorkel or tube 34 has beenillustrated on the face mask 10 of Fig. l, a second, similarlyconstructed snorkel or tube may be located at the opposite side of themask 10, or the two snorkels or tubes may be otherwise convenientlylocated.

In use, the face mask 10 is applied to the face of the swimmer, asillustrated in Fig. 1, with a water-tight seal being effected betweenthe edge 14 of flange member 13 and the abutting surface of the swimmersface. As the swimmer floats on the surface of the water with his headimmersed, his central line of vision is normally directed substantiallydownwardly and slightly forwardly inclined so that the swimmer has aclear underwater view through the face plate 16. However, the swimmersangle of vision is such that it encompasses the lower transparentportion 25 of periscope housing 23 and the reflecting element 33, sothat the swimmer simultaneously has a horizontal forward view or line ofvision above the surface of the water by way of the periscope. Merely byappropriately tilting his eyes, the swimmer may obtain an exclusivelysubsurface or exclusively above-surface view, as desired.

In the above described swimming face mask with periscope, the periscopehousing 23 extends through an opening in the flange member 13 of theface mask into the interior of the latter and is produced as an elementseparate from the face mask. However, it is to be understood that theperiscope may be otherwise mounted on the face mask so long as it is solocated that the lower reflecting element of the periscope isencompassed by the angle of vision of the swimmer when the face mask isapplied to the swimmers face. Thus, with reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7of the drawings, it will be seen that a swimming face mask withperiscope constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention has the periscope housing constructed as an integral p ofthe-frame of the swimming face mask.

More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, theface mask generally identified by the reference numeral 50 includes agenerally elliptical frame portion 51 of a suitably rigid plastic andhaving a transversely extending part or cross-member 52 (Figs. 6 and 7)dividing the interior of the frame portion 51 into a relatively largeopening 53 and a relatively small, laterally elongated opening 54. Atransparent face plate 55 preferably of a plastic material, for exampleof methyl methacrylate, is suitably secured, for example, by a snap ring56 (Fig. 6), in the opening 53 of frame portion 51, while a transparentwindow 57, preferably also of plastic, is suitably secured in theopening 54.

Face mask 50 further includes a flange member 58 preferably formed of anatural or synthetic rubber or any other suitable elastomeric materialand having a lower edge portion closely engaging about the outerperiphery of frame portion 51 and formed with an inner groove whichreceives a circumferential projecting rib 59 formed on frame portionSl.The flange member 58 is suitably secured to frame portion 51, forexample, by a clamping band 60 extending around the edge portion offlange member 58 engaging the periphery of frame portion 51 and 33having, apertured lugs. 61 (Fig. 7 at its. opposite, ends reeeivinga nutand. bolt: 62 by which the ends. of the clampingband 60 may be drawntogether to tighten the latter about the flange portion 58 on theperiphery of frame portion 51. v

The flange member 58 preferably tapers in thickness toward its free edge63 which conforms in shape to the corresponding contour of the face ofthe swimmer. As in the first described embodimentof the invention, theface mask 50 has a band or strap 64 secured to the opposite sides offlange member 58 as at 65 (Fig. 5), in order to support the mask on'theface of the swimmer and to ensure a water-tight contact between thesurface of the swimmers-face and the flange edge 63.-

As previously indicated, in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 5, 6 and7, the periscope, which is generally identified by the reference numeral66 includes an elongated housing 67 integral with'the frame portion 51of facemask 50. As can be seen particularly in Figs. 6 and 7,, theperiscope housing 67 includes an elongated tube portion 68 having itslongitudinal axis disposed approximately at right angles with respect tothe plane of the face plate 55 so that the tube portion 68 extendssubstantially vertically, as in Fig. 6, when the face mask 50 is in itsnormal position of use. The periscopehousing 67 further includes atunnel-like portion 69' (Figs. 5 and 6') extending upwardly andrearwardly from the lower. part of tube portion 68; withthe latter beingconsidered in its normal vertical position, and joining the frameportion 51 around the opening 54 of the latter.

The periscope housing 67 is completed by an upper transparent portion 7iat the top of the forwardly directed wall of tube portion 68, andinclined upper and lower end walls 71' and 72, respectively. Inclinedupper and lower reflecting elements '73 and 74, respectively, aredisposed against the inner surfaces of end walls 71 and 72 and, as isapparent in Fig. 6, the upper reflecting 73 is preferably formed with aconvex reflecting surface for the purpose hereinafter described in.detail.

Asin the first embodiment of the invention, the inclination of the upperreflecting element 73 is such that the angle between the longitudinalaxis of tube portion 68 of the periscope housing'and the plane of thereflecting surface, at the center of the latter, is equal to the anglebetween: the plane of. the reflecting surface, at the center of thelatter, and the horizontal, when the mask is disposed in its normal.position of use, while theinclination of the lower reflecting element 74is such that the angle between the longitudinal axis of the tube portion68 and the plane of the lower reflecting surface is equal to the anglebetween the upper line of sight of the swimmer wearing the mask 50 andthe central portion of the reflecting surface of element 74.

From the above, it will be apparent that, with the swimming face maskand periscope of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 in its normal position of use on aswimmer, the swimmers central line of vision is normally directedsubstantially downwardly, as indicated in Fig. 6, but the angle ofvision is such that it encompasses the lower reflecting element 74 ofperiscope 66 so that the swimmer simultaneously has a horizontal forwardview or line of vision above the surface of the water by way of theperiscope, and convex reflecting surface of the upper reflecting element73 provides a wide angle view above the water, both in the vertical andhorizontal directions.

The swimming face mask and periscope of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 also hasbreathing tubes or Snorkels associated therewith, but, in thisembodiment of the invention, the breathing tubes 75 and '76 are formedintegral with the periscope housing 67 and extend along the oppositesides thereof, with the breathing tubes 75 and '76 communicating withthe interior of the face mask 50 through openings 77 and 78,respectively, formed in frame portion 51 at the opposite sides of theopening 54 (Fig. 7). Further, the upper end portions of breathing tubes75 and. 76 project above the top. end.wal1 7'1-. of the perithe valvemember '81-, which is mounted; forpivoting about adiar'nerticallyextending axis82, is slightly el-- liptical, for example, as. would bethe case whenl the valve member 81 is. cut from a piece of cylindricalstock with its parallel oppositev faces being inclined-with respect tothe longitudinal axis-of the cylindrical. stock, so

that the valve member 81 can swing between the open position illustratedin full. lines: in Fig. 6 and aclosed position, illustrated inbroken-lines-in Fig. 6, and wherein the edge of valve member 81 seatsagainst. the periphery of opening80j inorder to limit the pivotalmovement of the valve member at the closed position thereof; Further, anarm 83 extends. from valve member 81 and is joined to a float 84 whichnormally tends to assume a depending position, as in Fig; 6, forretaining; valve member 81 in its open position so long as the floatisdisposed above the surface of the water. I-twillbeappare'nt'that, whenthe float 84" is submerged, the buoyancy thereof will tend to lift thefloat. with respect: to the pivoting axis 82 of valve member 81, andthereby turn the: latter to its closed position.

Although the housings 2'3 and 67 of the periscopes described inconnection with the illustrated embodiments of the invention are shownto behollow, it is apparent that such housings can be replaced by solidmembers of glass or light transmitting plastic, such as, methylmethacrylate, having polished surfaces corresponding to the reflectingelements 32 and 33' and the reflecting elements 73 and 74, respectively,so as to achievetotal'reflection off such polished surfaces. With sucharrangements,'the buoyant effect of the air within the illustratedhollow periscope housings is eliminated, thereby'facilitating the makingof deep dives while wearing the swimming face mask with periscope;

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail herein with reference to -the accompanyingdrawings, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention,except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: v

1. The combination of an underwater face mask including a frame portionhaving a resilient flange member extending therefrom and dimensioned toeffect a watertight seal with the face of a wearer, and a transparentface plate secured in said frame portion and extending in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the normal line of vision of the wearer;and a periscope including a water-tight housing secured to said facemask and having a lower transparent portion within said mask encompassedby the angle of vision of the wearer and an upper transparent portionfacing forwardly when said face plate is directed downwardly, andreflecting surfaces in said housing providing an optical path throughsaid housing between said lower and upper transparent portions andterminating in a forward line of vision from said upper transparentportion which is more nearly parallel than perpendicular to the plane ofsaid face plate.

2. The combination as in claim 1; wherein said housing is separate fromsaid frame portion of the face mask, and said flange member has anopening therein through which said housing extends in water-tightrelationship to said flange member.

gamma 7 3. The combination as in claim I; wherein said housin isintegral with said flange portion of the face mask.

4. The combination of an underwater face mask including a frame portionwith a transparent face plate therein intended to face downwardly in anormal position of use of the face mask, said frame portion having aresilient flange extending therefrom and dimensioned to effect awater-tight seal with a swimmers face and to dispose said frame portionrelative to' the swimmers face so that the swimmers normal line ofvision is directed substantially downwardly through said face plate insaid normal position of use; and a' periscope including an elongatedhollow housing secured to said face mask and extending upwardly from thelatter in said normal position of use, said housing being opaque withthe exception of a view admitting lower portion in said face maskadjacent said face plate and encompassed by the angle of vision of theswimmer and a view admitting upper portion, and reflecting surfaces insaid housing providing an optical path through the housing between saidlower and upper portions of the latter and terminating in a line ofvision passing through said view admitting upper portion which is morenearly perpendicular than parallel to the swimmers normal line ofvision.

5. The combination as in claim 4; wherein said view admitting lower andupper portions of the periscope housing are constituted by transparentparts providing a water-tight seal for the interior of the housing inorder to protect said reflecting surfaces against deterioration bywaterin which said face mask and periscope are immersed.

6. The combination as in claim 5; wherein said resilient flange has anopening therein and said periscope housing extends into said face maskthrough said opening of the flange and is in water-tight sealingengagement with the latter.

7. The combination as in claim 5; wherein said periscope housing isintegral with said frame portion of the face mask, and said frameportion has an opening therein communicating with the interior of saidhousing; and wherein said transparent part constituting the lower viewadmitting portion of the housing is mounted in said opening of theframe'portion.

8. The combination of an underwater face mask including a frame portionwith a transparent face plate therein intended to face downwardly in anormal position of use of the face mask, said frame portion having aresilient flange extending therefrom and dimensioned to effect awater-tight seal with a swimmers face and to dispose said frame portionrelative to the swimmers face so that the swimmers normal line of visionis directed substantially downwardly through said face plate in saidnormal position of use; and a periscope including an elongated hollowhousing secured to said face mask and extending upwardly from the latterin said normal posi tion of use, said housing being opaque with theexception of a lower view admitting portion adjacent said face plate andencompassed by the angle of vision of the swimmer and an upper viewadmitting portion which is directed forwardly adjacent the upper end ofthe housing in said normal position of use, and reflecting surfaces insaid housing providing an optical path through the housing between saidlower and upper view admitting portions and terminating in a forwardline of vision through said upper view admitting portion which is substantially horizontal in said normal position of use.

9. The combination as in claim 8; wherein said reflecting surfacesinclude upper and lower reflecting surfaces, with said upper reflectingsurface being convex to provide a wide angle view through said upperview admitting portion of the periscope housing.

10. The combination as in claim 8; further comprising at least onebreathing tube extending upwardly from said face mask substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the periscope housing and having adownwardly facing, air admitting opening adjacent the upper end of thebreathing tube, and fioat controlled valve means for closing said airadmitting opening when the latter is submerged.

11. The combination as in claim 10; wherein two breathing tubes areprovided, said breathing tubes being integral with said periscopehousing and extending along the opposite sides of the latter, the lowerends of said breathing tubes opening into said face mask through saidframe portion of the latter, and the upper end portions of saidbreathing tubes extending above said periscope housing and being joinedby a common, hollow cross-member having said air admitting openingtherein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,610,553 Jones Dec. 14, 1926 2,526,181 Wilen Oct. 17, 1950 2,725,876Maille Dec. 6, 1955

